The Federal Government has launched an investigation into the alleged unauthorised sale of the National Identification Number (NIN) following revelations that Nigerians’ personal data was available for purchase online at a fee.
The revelation has sparked widespread concern regarding the protection of individual privacy rights and potential economic repercussions.
While addressing the issue, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, confirmed he had begun discussions with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on the matter.
The Ministry of Interior currently oversees the National Identity Management Commission, the body responsible for managing Nigeria’s identity database.
“While I have engaged with my counterpart at the Ministry of Interior regarding this matter, I am confident in their commitment to safeguarding our national identity data,” Tijani affirmed in a statement released on Wednesday.
He expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts of both the Ministry of Interior and NIMC to address the issue promptly. The Executive Director of the organisation, Gbenga Sesan, said that the data being sold on the websites were sourced directly from the government’s databases.
